Monday, June 22, 2009

FESTIVAL: TBILISI INTERNATIONAL - Georgian SHOW-CASE

One of the oldest cities in world, Tbilisi is located on the crossroad of major cultural routes from East and West. Well-known for its unique atmosphere, beauty and hospitality, Tbilisi leads a very dynamic cultural life.

TBILISI INTERNATIONAL, a new international festival of theatre, will bring leading artists from around the world to join with artists from Georgia’s long tradition of world class theatre, inspiring people to make professional and social connections on a national and international level.

For three weeks from the end of September until the middle of October, Tbilisi International will welcome everyone who aims to make peoples’ lives extraordinary and the world become a better place.One of the core events of the Festival will be a programme of Georgian performances. The GEORGIAN SHOWCASE will run for four days from 9 – 12 October presenting performances from both state and independent theatres, as well as independent performing arts groups. It’s a chance to catch up with the latest developments from this most theatrical of cities.

The programme will be announced at the end of June but this advance notice is to enable you to put dates in your diary..

We promise a very interesting, creative programme with a unique opportunity to see a selection of high quality Georgian theatre from well-known masters of the stage together with the new generation of theatre professionals. Modern Georgian drama, top quality international companies, opportunities to meet actors, musicians, stage directors and writers with lively discussion over a Georgian table, with famous Georgian wine and food; it all adds up to an unforgettable experience that will enrich your artistic, professional and personal life.

The festival is just one part of the cultural life of Georgia and Tbilisi and will bring a unique atmosphere and experience to the family of International Festivals. Other events going on in Tbilisi include the Autumn Music Festival, GIFT Festival and the Opera Show Case.

If you’ve never been to Tbilisi or Georgia, now is the time to make your first visit. We say first because it certainly won’t be your last!

FRONTLINE CLUB GEORGIA

Frontline Georgia is a media club that aims to serve as a politically-neutral venue for journalists, public officials, students, intellectuals come together in a dialogue over media, social, political and cultural issues important for Georgia and the region. Frontline Georgia holds panel discussions, screenings, exhibitions, conferences and master classes.

Frontline Georgia’s mission is to contribute to quality journalism and exchange of views. Its Events Program will bring together the key players and thinkers in politics and the media and give a member an opportunity not only to hear from experts but to ask questions and contribute to the discussion in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

While there are other meeting places for important public discussions, Frontline Georgia is among the very few, where people from different ideological and political camps meet together. This neutrality has been one of the biggest achievements of the club, which operates in Georgia’s highly politicized and polarized social and media environment.

Ruth Olshan in her film portrays musicians who work with different approaches: a male choir searching and cultivating old folk songs in the Caucasus region, a female choir, a school dance company and musicians who enhance Georgian folk music. There is a common denominator that links the diverse protagonists in Olshan’s film: Singing, dancing and music are crucial elements of their lifestyle. Music is as important as “air to breath,” explains the director of the female choir . The subtle camera work discreetly catches moments and spontaneous encounters, showing that the rehearsals and the singing brings moments to these women where they are taken away from their normal course of life. For life in Rustavi, a small town near Tiflis, seems bleak. The industry is dead, the unemployment rate is enormous. You ask yourself how people can live. The choir women’s beauty and positive energy exude an affirmative sign of life, even in mournful moments. Men and women sing and dance both joy and sorrow off their chest. In Georgia, music seems to be omnipresent, almost existential. Even if a young singer does not think folk music is “sexy”, he still gets hooked. It gets under his skin. The film pays tribute to this fascination, vitality, and spiritedness.

IMPRESSUM

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